Cabot Links

When I awoke, the rain was pouring down.  It really looked as though our golf outing would be spoiled by inclement weather.  However, all were game to go down to the course since this had been one of the very few planned activities.  When we arrived at Cabot Links the rain had stopped but the clouds were threatening.  After a delicious smoked salmon benny breakfast (more on that later), we decided to go ahead and play in spite of that and we were glad we did.  It didn’t rain any more and we had a great round of golf guided by our 4 caddie David.  Everyone had a few good shots and a few bad shots, and we wound up having enough golf balls to finish the round!  The course is very picturesque along the beautiful beach at Inverness.  Everyone had fun and Karen’s knees held up for the 4 and a half hour walk chasing a little white ball.  Expensive golf experience, but glad to have done it, and would play here again.  Unfortunately, I have to record some of the unsavoury bits of our experiences so far here in Cape Breton too.  In isolation, each of these events are not worth mentioning, but in aggregate, became a noteworthy part of our vacation.  Starting with our dinner last night at the Glenora Inn dining room, very generously hosted by Jim and Judy.  While clearing the neighboring table, the waitress spilled utensils bouncing off my shoulder.  Our waitress also appeared clumsy and distracted.  Jim asked her repeatedly to serve wine, which she seemed to not be aware was part of her job.  When our meals arrived, I was informed that my lobster had been dropped in the kitchen and would be along later.  When clearing our table, the waitress dropped some utensils and rather than picking them up, she just kicked them along the floor and left them there!  This was all in service of the establishments owners!!  Next day, at the golf course while checking in, the staffer seemed completely oblivious to our situation.  I had to remind her that we had arranged for and needed to pay for rental clubs (which was on our reservation), then when I asked about the 4 caddie she just said that it is a cash transaction with the caddie for the fee and tip.  I had to ask what the fee was.  She seemed completely oblivious to the possibility that we might not have been here before.  When we arrived at the club drop off, our rentals were not yet available (now about an hour and 15 minutes to our tee time).  No indication yet from any staff regarding where the driving range might be.  We went up to the restaurant and were ignored by the staff while standing at the hostess station.  Decided we should seat ourselves in the sparsely occupied dining room.  When a waiter finally showed up, we ordered some eggs, choosing to not opt for the buffet.  The staff routinely all just disappeared from the room.  When delivering our drinks, the waiter spilled an entire glass of juice down Myles shoulder and back leaving his shorts sopping wet.  By the time we returned to the club drop off, our clubs were ready but we had no time to get to the driving range located at the other course.  While on the course, as we finished 14 (par three overlooking the ocean - signature hole and photo op), a course Marshall walked up to inform us we were 35 minutes behind and needed to pick up our pace.  In fact, we were one shot behind the group ahead and quickly caught up and waited numerous times on the last three holes.  Back at the Glenora Inn, decided to drop down to the pub for dinner.  Seated ourselves in the upper loge area and were acknowledged by our waitress.  We proceeded to wait  and watch while she ran up and down the stairs dealing with one table and ignoring us.  We finally got her attention and ordered some water, a bottle of wine and our meals.  After several more trips to and fro, we received some water.  I had to ask quite some time later if we could get our wine, which seemed to really befuddle her.  When our meals arrived, believe it or not, I was told my meal had been dropped in the kitchen and would be just a few more minutes.  Amor Fati I guess.  Island time.